Quincy homeowner agrees to stop renting out rooms to travelers

The Squantum homeowner accused of running an illegal bed and breakfast has agreed to stop renting out rooms to travelers, but he hopes the city will do more in the future to embrace such enterprises.

Richard Cope, owner of the seaside home at 85 Bayside Road in Squantum, has been at odds with city officials and some neighbors this summer after he rented out rooms using the popular room-sharing website Airbnb.com. The city slapped Cope with three fines, saying it was an illegal use of his home, while neighbors complained he was inviting strangers into a family-friendly neighborhood.

On Thursday, Cope accepted the city’s offer to throw out two of the fines, totaling $1,200, if he agreed to stop renting out rooms. Also, Jay Duca, the city’s director of inspectional services, said he’d consider repealing a separate $300 fine against Cope that is being disputed in district court.

About 25 Squantum residents attended Cope’s appeal hearing held at the city’s health department building in North Quincy. Andrew Scheele, the city’s health commissioner and its municipal hearings officer, presided over the session.

“I think B&Bs are a great idea for Quincy,” Scheele said, adding that the city’s rich history makes it a popular tourist destination. “That being said, you still have to go through the process to become a legal B&B in the city.”

Duca said Cope, who purchased his home in April, was violating the city’s building code by renting out rooms for transient use – less than 30 days per stay. He said an owner must apply for a hotel or lodging license from the city’s licensing board before a property can be used for transient uses.

Cope said by hosting travelers from around the world, he was helping the local economy because his guests shopped and ate in the city. Going forward, he said he hopes the city will consider new policies that embrace companies such as Airbnb, allowing residents to take part in this “new, worldwide, sharing, social economy.”

“We want to have people from India, from France, from Kansas; we want to hear their stories,” Cope said. “And they shop here. They go to Marina Bay. They love it here.

“They see Boston, they see Quincy. It doesn’t hurt the neighborhood. It helps the neighborhood.”

During the hearing, Cope said he believes 30 to 40 other homeowners in Quincy are renting out rooms like he was.

“We’re not here for everyone else. We’re here for this neighborhood,” Duca said in response. “You’re on the radar today. Someone else could be on the radar tomorrow.”

Of the residents who attended the hearing, most seemed to be opposed to Cope renting out rooms in his home.